SEP 06 (MIAMI) – Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Hugo J. Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, and Alysa D. Erichs, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigation (ICE-HSI), announce the indictment of several individuals for their alleged participation in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The defendants were arrested on September 4, 2013 and made their initial appearances yesterday in federal court.

The indictment, filed on August 23, 2013, and unsealed yesterday, charges the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine and distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846. If convicted, the defendants each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a possible statutory maximum sentence of life. Jaime Maldonado Ramos, who is also charged with firearms offenses in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(c), faces an additional mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a possible statutory maximum sentence of life.

This case is a result of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This investigation was conducted by the DEA, ATF and ICE-HSI. Mr. Trouville also commended the U.S. Marshals Service, the Miami-Dade Police Department, the Coral Gables Police Department, the Hialeah Police Department, the Homestead Police Department and the West Miami Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

An indictment is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.